>> Any firm worth working for will have this as either a stipend, or otherwise handled as part of hiring remote workers.

This is just not true. I have never worked for a colocated company that pays for you to set up your home office. Most do not hire remote works either so there is no predefined (and budgeted) setup

We'll also see if in the face of double-digit unemployment (don't think that's going to resolve itself the minute we get back to work) companies that don't have these discretionary benefits loose out on talent...

Just because a position is filled, that doesn't necessarily mean it's filled by the most-talented person.

It's entirely possible to lose out on remote talent by skimping on the remote experience, while still "successfully" filling the position.

Not to mention, it's tax deductible.